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Military Families by the Numbers

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The 2015 Military Youth of the Year honor, presented jointly by the Defense Department and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, was awarded to an 18-year-old military daughter from Vogelweh, Germany, during a ceremony held at the Navy Memorial Naval Heritage Center here yesterday. Story

The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff urged service members and their families need to make informed investment decisions to ensure financial readiness both during and after their service commitments. Story

As military families move frequently and face a host of concerns, finding child care can be one of the greatest challenges, Barbara Thompson, director of military community and policy's office of family policy/children and youth/special needs, said. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama reminded the public that time still remains to donate to Toys for Tots as she introduced her newest "helper," President Barack Obama, during a toy sorting and packing drive at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling here. Story

Every year around the holidays, some families experience added stress. Maybe because of visiting relatives, finding the last gift, or cooking for dozens. But for some on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one stress that is avoided is the buying of a Christmas tree. Story

Service members, veterans, wounded warriors and their families were among the first to see this year's White House holiday decorations, centering around the theme, "A Children's Winter Wonderland." Story

The vice president's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, hosted a holiday celebration at the vice president's residence in honor of service members, veterans and their families. Guests included senior military spouses, guests from the Naval Observatory, Camp David, Full Circle Home and military families whose ornaments decorated eight holiday trees within the residence, five of which were dedicated to the services. Story

Dr. Jill Biden made a surprise appearance at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial to commend companies who have hired more than 65,000 military spouses since Joining Forces launched in 2011. Story

Through Joining Forces, an initiative offering employment, educational and wellness resources to military families, Pentagon officials inducted 38 organizations into the Military Spouse Employment Partnership in a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Story

As efforts continue to strengthen service members and their families, Pentagon officials held a Bloggers Roundtable to highlight the myriad resources available to tackle the unique military and transitional challenges those who serve may face. Story

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed a policy change in new paycheck allotments to prevent unscrupulous commercial lenders from taking advantage of troops and their families, Pentagon officials said. Story

November in America traditionally is a month of thankfulness, and the Defense Department chose this month to recognize those who support the nation's armed forces but who don't wear the uniform: military families. Story

The Defense Department has joined more than 35 other agencies and nonprofits to highlight free consumer protection resources for military members, said Holly Petraeus, the assistant director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Story

With summer just beginning, Defense Department officials want to remind service members and their families that low- to no-cost fitness and recreation opportunities exist to maintain military family readiness, a morale, welfare and recreation official said. Story

Military families using fitness centers and respite day care through the Armed Services YMCA will be able to continue their memberships until March of next year, a morale, welfare and recreation program official said. Story

The Fisher House Foundation's role in assisting military families has grown over the past 13 years of war, and selfless work of the foundation's chairman has earned the Defense Department's gratitude, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Story

A program intended to help unemployed military spouses find jobs -- including positions with Fortune 500 companies -- is surpassing its goals, connecting more than 60,000 military spouses with 220 private- and public-sector partners since the program began three years ago. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, are calling on Americans to submit questions via social media about "Joining Forces," a national initiative they started three years ago that mobilizes all sectors of American society to support service members and their families. Story

The Professional Golfers' Association Tour boasts a flourishing military outreach program for total force military members and their families, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Story

Hundreds of people turned out to honor military members and their families during the 32nd Annual USO Metro Awards Dinner, where Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Mary, presented The Legacy of Hope Award to The American Military Spouses Choir. Story

The military has a moral obligation to take care of veterans and the relatives of service members, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told the audience at a gala where he also presented Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, chief of staff of the Air Force, with the TAPS Honor Guard Gala Military Award. Story

Children in military families move six to nine times between kindergarten and high school, and a Sesame Street-themed mobile app launched in December can help them cope with leaving a familiar place for the unknown. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama hosted military children and their families at the White House for a special screening of the Disney motion picture "Muppets Most Wanted," with an opening address by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. Story

The military's top enlisted leader praised service members and their families at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Va., for their professionalism, flexibility and tenacity during a time of impending change for the Defense Department. Story

Service members, veterans and their families who complained to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about financial products or services have recovered more than $1 million, but some military families are not receiving the added consumer protections they have earned. Story

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Special Operations Command have agreed to increase support services for military families in areas such as personal financial management, health and nutrition, child care and youth empowerment. Story

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, joined former president George W. Bush at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas to discuss ways to support transitioning service members and their families. Story

With the national rate of childhood obesity increasing, the Defense Department wants to ensure children in military families lead healthy and active lifestyles, the Defense Department's director of the office of family policy and children and youth said. Story

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wished all Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and provided special holiday greetings and thanks to U.S. military members, veterans, and their families for their service and sacrifice to the nation. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama took phone calls from boys and girls from across the country asking where Santa was located as part of the annual NORAD Tracks Santa program run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. Story

All eligible service members, dependents and retirees -- including same-sex couples -- are now able to obtain Defense Department identification cards in every state, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said. Story

A free handbook by Blue Star Families and Vulcan Productions is available to help service members' families and friends better understand what to expect from the deployment process and how to cope with the emotional aspects of deployments and reintegration. Story | Handbook

Healthy military families are essential to guaranteeing the health of the overall force, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Lisa, told Military Family Summit attendees at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus, Ga. Story

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed the chief of the National Guard Bureau to meet with the adjutants general of nine states to resolve the issue of those states denying ID cards to same-sex spouses at National Guard facilities. Story

Service members who deploy or are otherwise separated from their families due to mission needs now have an online resource allowing them to hone their parenting skills as they reconnect with their children. Story

DOD facilities are gearing up to issue identification cards to same-sex spouses beginning Sept. 3, Pentagon officials said. The Supreme Court decision to overturn portions of the Defense of Marriage Act made it possible for the department to recognize same-sex marriages. Story

Getting community educators and care providers to understand the needs of military children is crucial, a Defense Department official said at the Military Child Education Coalition's 15th National Training Seminar. Story

Military children are a great strength of the armed forces, the chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the kickoff of the Military Child Education Coalition's 15th National Training Seminar, attended by teachers, school liaisons, program directors and other professionals. Story

Defense Department officials have measures to protect the military community from financial scam artists, said Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department's office of family policy, children and youth. Story

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, told a gathering of military wives that the deployment of her son Beau to Iraq in 2008 made her realize the sacrifices military families repeatedly endure, a hardship she said most Americans will never know. Story

The Defense Department is committed to helping military spouses find jobs and offers resources for education, training and networking, said Meg O'Grady, the department's spouse employment and career opportunities program manager. Story

Compassion, faith and patriotism earned five youths, each representing a service branch, acclaim from senior leaders during the 5th Annual Military Child of the Year Awards Gala at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Pentagon City. Story

With April designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Defense Department is highlighting its commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect among military families, especially through the Family Advocacy Program, and providing those who need it with counseling. Story

Defense Department officials recognize that an unemployed spouse can affect a service member's retention an initiative for states to allow spouses' professional licenses to transfer from other states. Story

As the Information Age continues to shape modern communication, the Defense Department has revitalized and consolidated the Military OneSource website to better serve military members and their families, a Pentagon official said in a recent interview. Story

A panel of military family members joined journalists, civil servants and decorated service members at the inaugural Hero Summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss the challenges of being a military family member and the ways that American citizens can support them. Story

President Barack Obama praised military families in a proclamation declaring November as Military Family Month, noting that behind each service member "stands a parent, a sibling, a child, a spouse -- proud family members who share the weight of deployment and make profound sacrifices on behalf of our country." Story

More than 100 colleges and universities have signed on to a White House initiative to prepare educators for the unique needs of their military-connected students, said Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the vice president, during a "Joining Forces" event in Fairfax, Va. Story

Department of Defense Education Activity Director Marilee Fitzgerald urged recipients of the 2012 educational grant program to push the envelope in developing programs that ultimately will benefit all military schoolchildren. Story

The nation's social workers have signed on to help service members, veterans and their families in a broad effort as part of the White House's "Joining Forces" campaign, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, announced at the National Association of Social Workers' annual convention. Story

Service members and their spouses joined Defense Department leaders during a ceremony at the Pentagon to mark the success of a spouse employment program intended to help military families and the economy. Story

Service members and their families will be able to enter all of America's national parks free of charge for a year thanks to a Joining Forces initiative that will take effect beginning on Armed Services Day, May 19. Story

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, joined the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Newport News, Va., today to highlight efforts to help school children from military families.Story

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, marked the one-year anniversary of the Joining Forces campaign by celebrating the individuals and organizations that have stepped up in "extraordinary ways" to improve military families' lives. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden today announced a major pledge by the nation's nursing community to better understand the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families, and to reach out to provide treatment wherever it is needed. Story

Leading up to a White House celebration today, two of the nation's top wives personally thanked a group of individuals and organization leaders for their efforts to improve military families' lives at the Pentagon. Story

As First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden mark the first anniversary of their "Joining Forces" campaign, the two say they will continue to solidify its successes so a structured effort to help military families is a permanent part of American culture. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announced the winners of the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize the efforts of citizens and organizations across the country that work to improve the lives of military families. Story

The Sesame Street and USO Experience for Military Families, a free traveling tour, will kick off April 7 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and will visit military families on more than 70 installations over the next eight months. Story

The National Hockey League's Washington Capitals highlighted the club's ninth annual military appreciation night yesterday with a six-figure donation to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors program. Story

Military spouses have amazing stories that all Americans need to hear, the wife of the nation's top military officer said here March 3. "I want all of America to see what I see -- this is a group that can be an incredible source of good," Deanie Dempsey, wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, told a group of military spouses attending Military.com's 2012 Military Spouse Summit. Story

Vicki Terrell looked out at the turquoise Gulf of Mexico, remembering happy days when she and her husband, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Terrell, frolicked on their live-aboard powerboat and set anchor in the Florida Keys. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, unveiled a new report today that spotlights military spouses' employment challenges and aims to remove barriers for the thousands of spouses with occupational licenses. Story

Officials are hoping efforts to address military spouses' ongoing issues with obtaining occupational licenses after a move will help to remove career barriers and reduce an unemployment rate that's consistently higher than that of their civilian-life counterparts. Story

Alongside some of the nation's top officials, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will unveil an employment report this week intended to ease military spouses' ongoing issues with occupational licenses, White House officials announced. Story

The Defense Department's new obesity and nutrition awareness campaign sets a powerful example for the rest of the nation, First Lady Michelle Obama said during a health-conscious dining facility. Story

Another state has joined an interstate agreement to ease school transitions for children from military families, bringing the overall tally of member states to 40, a Defense Department official announced yesterday. Story

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, have announced the 20 finalists that will compete for top honors in the Joining Forces Campaign's Community Challenge. Story

Caring about military families comes naturally to Deanie Dempsey, the wife of the nation's top military officer. She's been an Army spouse for nearly 36 years, and their three children have served in the Army. Story

The Warrior and Family Support Center on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is a bustling "oasis" for wounded warriors and their families seeking emotional support and a respite from the rigors of recovery. Story

When her soldier husband was injured in Iraq, Catrina Tomsich gave up everything to be with him. She shut down her business, left a support network of friends and uprooted their 5-year-old son, Brayden, to move to help him recover. Story

A new Defense Department website offers military children around the world a chance to participate in an online community so they can learn how people their own age are coping with a parent's deployment. Story